Um, my Camaro just needs the little white cable that came with the ipod. Or I can just do what David said above and use a USB memory stick.

Erik
Posted: 9/14/2010 3:02pm PDT

Apple dropped DRM years ago.
The proprietary connector is great because it charges your iPod and you can use steering controls, and artist etc. shows up on display. I haven't seen these features in other mp3 players.
The connector sucks because you have to pay $100+, that's if you install it yourself. Then they come out with a new model iPod and the connector doesn't work anymore (mine won't work with iPod touch, even though the connector fits)

Dim sum
Posted: 9/14/2010 12:36am PDT

DRM isn't gone from iTunes. You can buy many tracks DRM free--but not all.

Ryan Peterson
Posted: 9/13/2010 11:14pm PDT

Don't blame Apple or car makers for DRM. Blame the music industry they are constantly forcing companies like Apple to add these stupid technologies that make our lives harder. If Apple did not have that stupid little chip there are several labels and artists that would not sell their music on iTunes.

Matt
Posted: 9/13/2010 10:32pm PDT

Apple got rid of the DRM on their music tracks almost 2 years ago. Everyone knows it was because of the labels anyways. Their overcharging third parties for car connection licenses is a separate issue, though certainly irritating. Clearly the author has a bone to pick; he should get his facts straight. There's no excuse for this coming from a "20 year veteran journalist".

A-non
Posted: 9/13/2010 7:38pm PDT

I'm bailing on waiting for my vehicle to have an iPod connector. BT Audio is the way to go.

Seth
Posted: 9/13/2010 7:26pm PDT

I agree with David. If you drink the Apple Koolaid, you have to pay the Apple price. You can buy a MP3 player that you don't have to worry about proprietary cables or DRM's and it will cost you a whole lot less than the iPod that has only become a status symbol. I work with teenagers everyday and what I have found is that the kids who are trying to be popular or accepted are the ones going out and buying MacBooks and new iPods and then talking about it to everyone so they will look important. Apple has done a good job of convincing everyone that their kung fu is better than all the other kung fu out there. It's ridiculous. Any anyway, why can't you just plug an audio cable into the stupid iPod and through the head unit in the car. Why do you need the proprietary cable to make it play music. Unless you are trying to control the iPod through your car stereo. But that's being lazy since the iPod is probably sitting in your lap or in the console next to you. BTW I don't care for Apple or it's products, if you couldn't tell.

Jason Loop
Posted: 9/13/2010 6:43pm PDT

I researched this a couple years ago and got a neo ipod adapter that has flash upgrade so when apple has new protection or i get new car it just plugs into the back of the radio of the new car - seems like the best solution. picked mine up at a place called icarkits for 150 but im sure you can find it at lots of different places

bluetooth
Posted: 9/13/2010 6:33pm PDT

bluetooth + iphone 4 = solved

David Z
Posted: 9/13/2010 10:27am PDT

Why bother with an iPod when you can buy a $20 8GB USB stick and put 2,000 songs on it?

dig
Posted: 9/13/2010 8:32am PDT

sorry that's not apple's fault ...the carmakers should be giving the cables away for free, they are the one's making the profit on the cables. the ipod connector hasn't changed in years, and it should be standard in most vehicles by now. that said if you want some sort of special mount, an extra $50-100 isn't gonna break the bank on a $30k car purchase.

John C. Briggs
Posted: 9/13/2010 7:14am PDT

Yep, Apple is to blame. I purchase an Ipod Video and then an adapter for my car ($150) that makes my Ipod Video look like a 6-disk CD changer. Worked great.
Upgraded to Ipod touch, does not work at all. No audio, does not even charge.
Love the Ipod Touch in many ways, but Apple is a sucky company to deal with.